Recent changes to the US immigration system are causing significant fear and confusion within the refugee community. Many of these individuals have already experienced war, displacement, and even forced portering in dangerous combat zones. Now, this ongoing immigration uncertainty is creating further fear and confusion.
As we are living in the social media era, rumors are circulating within the refugee community quickly. Refugees are afraid of attending their immigration appointments due to reports that ICE is conducting arrests outside of immigration offices, leading to potential detention. There are concerns that ICE may be targeting workplaces and schools.
In Nebraska, where refugees currently live is not like what they heard and saw on the news. However, these rumors are severely impacting their daily lives. Due to a lack of trust in the government system, many refugees are afraid of attending their immigration appointments alone. They are actively isolating themselves from the public space. Additionally, families are avoiding important medical and social services visits. The most concerning is that they hesitate to interact with authorities, even in case of an emergency or other needs.
CSS is committed to addressing these fears and rebuilding the refugee community's confidence in local support systems. Refugees have gone through a lengthy process of vetting and arrive in the United States through a legal pathway with U.S. government-issued documentation. Those who follow the law should not have to live in fear. To reinforce this, CSS recently sent out a postcard to the new refugee clients, including the following message:
We understand that recent changes to the US immigration system may be causing concern within our refugee community. Please know that Catholic Social Services remains committed to supporting you.
If you would like to discuss your concerns, our immigration team is available to speak with you. Additionally, our food market remains open if you are in need of assistance. Please reach out to us for any help you may need; if we cannot provide the specific support you need here, we will do our best to find an organization that can.
You are not alone, and we are here for you.
Our goal is to ensure that all our clients feel supported and informed during this challenging time and to ensure that our clients have access to accurate information and resources. We also want to inform them that they are not alone; we are here to support them in any way we can.
